MLB to go gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

Labor Day Weekend will begin with a purpose.

Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday that it has launched a league-wide effort by dedicating a special Childhood Cancer Awareness Day at all of its ballparks hosting games on Friday — starting with the potential postseason-preview day game at Wrigley Field between the Giants and Cubs, and followed by a full slate of night games around the Majors.

In partnership with Stand Up To Cancer, MLB has encouraged clubs to support this new initiative in commemoration of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month through a variety of special events. All Major League players, coaches, umpires and grounds-crew members will wear gold-ribbon decals and wristbands to further promote awareness for childhood cancer, which is the leading cause of death by disease in children aged 15 and under in the United States.

In Canada, more than 1,500 children will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Every year, an estimated 250,000 new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide.

“Advocating for the health and well-being of young people affected by this terrible disease is a cause that Major League Baseball and our clubs are proud to support,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Through our league-wide effort, we will join Stand Up To Cancer and many organizations dedicated to this fight in a unified demonstration of our sport’s commitment to ending childhood cancer.”

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine and his wife Chris are advocates for the fight against childhood cancer, and they are long-standing supporters of CURE Childhood Cancer. They played an important role in the development of this new league-wide initiative.

“For the 12 past years, Chris and I have been involved in the fight against childhood cancer,” Glavine said. “One of the challenges we have experienced is the lack of awareness surrounding how different it is from cancer that affects adults. We have made it our goal to leave no stone unturned in bringing awareness to a new level, and we are honored that MLB has brought the tragedy of childhood cancer to the national spotlight. This initiative by MLB will go a long way in giving the kids battling this disease the voice they so deserve. We thank Commissioner Manfred, MLB and all MLB clubs for taking on this fight.”

An estimated half-million fans are expected to enter the gates at 15 ballparks on Friday, based on figures from the corresponding date a year ago, so that’s how many people are about to be asked to join those fighting hard to stop pediatric cancer.

Clubs may choose to partner with local nonprofits, including hospital partners or organizations focused on childhood cancer. Additional options for clubs to show their support for the effort include check presentations to nonprofits and hospitals, and youth …

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